Erik Satie: The Complete Works

They say to open with an anecdote. Remember that TV commercial from the 70s where they were selling a multi-record album of all-time hits, with "all songs performed by The Original Stars"?As I heard it told, "The Original Stars" was actually the *name* of a band which did mediocre covers of all the hits...which must have been disappointing for the folks who bought the album.Anecdotes aside, my point is that with a comprehensive collection like this Satie set, there's no pleasing everyone. There are bound to be some interpretations of your favorite pieces which *won't* be played the way you'd like to hear them. A few of my favorites were played too quickly, I felt, or without enough expression but, with a massive collection like this, I found the sheer quantity, and the convenience of having everything in one boxed set, outweighed my artistic complaints.I thought the packaging was well done. Inside there's a booklet, and each of the CDs is in its own cardboard sleeve which has all the tracks clearly listed. If your player displays the track number, it's easy work to scan the sleeve and locate which piece you're hearing.I have seen reviews by more erudite reviewers who take issue with recording quality or point out the absence of some pieces from this supposedly 'complete' collection, however I am not quite so knowledgeable, just a big fan of Satie's music, and I found the collection to be quite nice.

Good recordings. 20+ years ago we listened to these constantly on vinyl. It's great fun hearing them again. Like Satie said...wallpaper music. Life is a bit better when this is your background music.

Major fans of "The Velvet Gentleman" will be attracted to this set -- I had to have it for a handful of items which I had not been able to secure elsewhere. I find it pretty much a mixed bag of reissues; everything is reasonably well done, nothing is old and dim, most with fine audio (apparently, other reviewers have reported some odd defects on CD 8, I have not noticed) -- all performed by competent musicians, though in several works better, or, at least, more preferable recordings may be available. As far as being "complete", Nah! Does not quite make it, even though it could have been closer -- details will follow (false claims will subtract a star automatically!). I have several lists of what are considered to be complete catalogs of Satie's compositions; checking things off, there do appear to be a few items missing (and, not necessarily little ones). I am not including a number of Satie's works which have never been published. I have discovered several Satie orchestral items which are NOT on this set can be found, wonderfully performed, here L'Orchestre de Satie . Potential buyers should be aware of just what is in this collection, which is mainly what this review will discuss -- at 10 CDs, only the major points will be addressed."Complete" piano works. Satie, during his life, published those items which he wished published. After his death, many manuscripts were discovered in his squalid apartment, and, during the later 1920's those items which had been completed, or close enough, were also placed in circulation by his friends. There was another flurry or publishing starting about 1968, many of those were incomplete items which had to be finished up and edited into an acceptable form (and thus are not pure Satie); issues of these items have continued up until very recent days, and everything may not yet be available.The core of the piano recordings on this set is from the Aldo Ciccolini series made in the mid-1980's (when ordering, I was hoping to find re-issues from Ciccolini's earlier series, but no such luck), and all these had lately been released on a 5 CD set just a few years ago Satie: Piano Works. Already having this Ciccolini set in my collection, that made for a LOT of duplicates! Let it be pointed out here that many consider Aldo Ciccolini to the 'premier' pianist which it come to the music of Erik Satie, so including them here is no surprise. However, neither extensive Ciccolini set was comprehensive, nor did they claim to be. To fill out the Ciccolini on this set, items which Ciccolini did not include were drawn from the work of other pianists' recordings. However, in several cases, the Ciccolini recorded items have been omitted and replaced with versions made by other pianists, in that regard, mainly by Queffélec. How it was decided when to substitute a Ciccolini item may only be guessed at. In what I consider a rather strange move, the 3 famous "Gymnopedies" are played by 3 different pianists (Cicccolini-Legrand-Tharaud). What this means, if you want ALL the Satie which Ciccolini recorded in his second series, you will not get them here; you will have to also acquire the 5-CD set linked above and experience about 80% duplicates. There are also some newly recorded items here which apparently had ever been done before (I have not checked out that claim). So, the basic Ciccolini collection is augmented by an offering of items played by Alexander Tharaud, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Anne Queffélec, Michel Legrand, and Jean-Pierre Armengaud (note that Thibaudet and Armengaud have also made more or less complete recordings of Satie's piano music: Erik Satie: L'oeuvre Pour PianoSatie: Complete Piano Works / L'Oeuvre Pour Piano; and Satie: Complete Solo Piano Music [6 CD]) . I have not heard very much from the Thibaudet series (a fairly comprehensive collection), while the Armengaud playings are no more than fair (and, even less comprehensive than the Ciccolini). Going through my check list, it appears that this collection may be a few small items short of complete, but, basically, complete as to works which have been published; EXCEPT for one major item NOT included here. That is the obscure full incidental music to the play "Le fils de étoils" -- almost 80 minutes of music, only surviving for solo piano. The complete music has been recorded several times, but on this set are only the three "Preludes" which are normally recorded. One other item of mention for the curious: The composition 'Vexations' is played once, and lasts about 90 seconds; it is NOT played over and over again 840 times! There are discs out there with repetitions of "Vexations" running to almost 80 minutes -- you can play the same CD a dozen times or so to get the "complete" work. Satie was probably just making one of his endless jokes, but some (such as John Cage) have taken it seriously. Anyone interested in a "complete piano works" (but, no, it is missing several items) that does include the complete "Le fils des étoiles" and 47 repetitions of "Vexations" should check out that by van Veen.CD 8 has solo piano versions of two of the ballets, 'Mercure' and 'Relâche', which are listed as world premiere recordings played by Armengaud. On the same CD is a second version of the ballet "Parade" arranged for piano 4-hands played by Armengaud and Dominique Merlet (from their earlier set). The set is sprinkled with a few other items listed as New Recording, 2015, apparently made for this release.CD 9 gives the "complete" songs. There are various vocalists involved, including Mady Mesplé, Gabriel Bacquier, and Nicolai Gedda, with piano accompaniment by, again, Aldo Ciccolini (these were extracted from a number of different issues over the years, mainly on LP). Six of the songs are sung by Anne-Sophie Schmidt with Jean-Pierre Armengaud, apparently taken from a recording they had made of what was claimed to be the "complete" songs Eric Satie. Melodies et Chansons. Melodies and Songs.. As there are several of Satie's cabaret songs which have not been published there are some missing items here, but the set does appear to include all which were ever published. In general, all are well done, showing that Satie was well accomplished as a composer of the art-song; a pleasant listening experience in itself.CDs 1 & 2 feature Orchestral works, mainly his ballets. For the main ballets, "Parade", "Mercure", and "Relâche", I find my preferred versions are those conducted by Maurice Abravanel, if that disc can still be found The Complete Ballets of Erik Satie ; an extraordinary "Parade" has also been made by Sado (see link to that disc). The items on this set are from various sources, reasonably well done, though I prefer those mentioned above to a larger degree. Several items on CD 1 conducted by Michel Plasson are outstanding and well done; 'En habit de cheval' -- in Satie's own orchestration, 'Cinq grimaces' -- orch. by Mihaud, and 'La Belle excentrique' which should be heard more often. On CD 2, "Socrate" is probably Satie's longest work, and, to be fair, some regard it as his "masterpiece". The Socrate included here is the version for chamber orchestra and 4 female vocal soloists; there is also a frequently recorded version for piano and single vocalist, but that setting is not included in this set. 'Le piège de Méduse' is Satie's only play, and so consists mainly of dialogue with just 7 short musical dances. Naturally, the thin booklet which comes with set contains none of the song lyrics, nor translations for "Socrate" or other vocal/spoken pieces. One had better know French if one wants a clue as to what is going on.An item which sources list as an orchestral composition is titled 'The Angora Ox', but this survives only a an incomplete work for solo piano. A ballet titled 'Uspud' is listed for piano, flutes, harp, and strings, but, again, only exists in a solo piano version.What is usually given to be Satie's last composition was for the early days of the movies titled "Cinéma", for small orchestra -- it is here, but only for solo piano. "Cinéma" was composed in association with the ballet "Relâche'" as an interlude and contains related thematic material -- as an historical artifact, it is the first known example of music written to follow the action in a movie. For that reason alone, essential on this collection, but still left off! As there has been an orchestral recording of it which would have available for Warner's use, Marius Constant/Ars Nova Ensemble on Erato, the playing time of which is over twice as long as this piano arrangement, this is a major demerit. The original satiric movie this piece was written for, including an appearance by Satie himself firing a canon over Paris, can be viewed on an internet source; check it out! This set does provide what must be an abridged version of 'Cinema' in a solo piano version; but a better performance is to be had on the above referenced series of piano works played by Armengaud who gives the piano version complete.Other Satie orchestral works which are not on this set can be found, in excellent performances, on the Sado/Lamoureux recording referenced above (and, an excellent release that is!) L'Orchestre de Satie ; therein are orchestral arrangements of 'Poudre d'Or", "Je te veux", the 2nd set of 'Furniture Music' (Un Salon and Chez un bistrot), "La Diva de L'Empire", "Trois Petites Pièces montées", and the Poulenc arrangement of "Deux Préludes posthumes et une Gnossienne" -- ALL MISSING on this "Tout Satie!" set. Actually, the "Trois Petites Pieces" work is on this set, but NOT in its original orchestral version, Besides the Sado, it may also be enjoyed on an old Manuel Rosenthal recording Satie: Orchestral Music. Note that both the Sado and Rosenthal discs also have versions of the famous ballet "Parade" which is leagues better than that given on this set. Since the Sado disc is a product of the same corporate conglomerate, it stands to reason that those items would have been available here; the same applies to the absence of the orchestral "Cinema", which was on the same LP as items which do appear here.CD 10 features 'Messe des pauvres' (Mass for the Poor) for chorus and organ; a somewhat bizarre work, but one which I find represents Satie at his very best, perhaps a personal favorite. This is one of those, you-should-hear-it-at-least-once works -- though I am certain it is not to everyone's taste. Also included is the petite opera, 'Geneviève de Brabant', in a recording with much spoken narration and no libretto. This disc is too short, just 40' 43"; it could have been filled up with "Cinéma" and some of the other omitted orchestral pieces. An opportunity missed!I can recommend this set as a fairly inexpensive way to acquire decent recordings of MOST of Satie's output, but filling in the gaps will probably prove most difficult. Lovers of Satie may wish to acquire other issues as well, especially the referenced Sado/Lamoureux release. The major component are the piano works for 2 and 4 hands, and there are numerous alternate complete editions out there by outstanding pianists to choose from. A large, but unfortunately not the complete set it claims to be, is on 9 CDs by Jeroen Van Veen, which includes an 80 minute recording of 'Le fils des etoiles', which is missing from this collection, and an entire CD of repetitions of "Vexations" (47 of the 840) Satie: Complete Piano Music. But be warned, Van Veen plays many of the works at very slow tempi and his style may not appeal to some.So, I find this collection could have been more complete and could have offered better recordings of several of the compositions involved. But, many Satie works are presently only going to be found on this set, which also contains the only recordings ever made to date for some items. Collectors will want this, but be prepared to look for alternates in a number of instances.

Delivered on time; thank you. 10 CD set in cardboard sleeves with booklet. Cellophane-wrapped, brand new. Unique works from an unique composer, Erik Satie. Some World Premier recordings. Very satisfied with everything within your power. NOT within your power, but perhaps record labels will get the message: some of us aren't fluent in French; thus, I haven't a clue as to what odd titles Satie gave his many piano pieces without some translation help. A pity. My loss for my poor ignorance. Other than that, a pleasant acquisition of interesting music. Thank you.

I have become recently obsessed with Satie’s music after a recent concert and decided to go all in on a collection. Some very familiar music here but much I did not know and I find all of it compelling. The recording quality is excellent on these discs.

If you like Erik Satie as I do this is well worth the cost to have his full catalog !!

the ordering of the discs is off--you'll want to hear discs 1&2 last, not before the better (known) piano music. Other than that, this set is pure gold. Recommended!

Just digging in but it appears that an orchestral piece is missing that was on an Erato then later, an MHS LP. I will follow up later.Also some piano pieces appear to come from a corrupted disc as a source.And , yes disc 8 has some strangeness going on but I really wanted Cinema Music from Relach as it appeared on a 1981 LP from Erato / MHS .........still a whole lotta Satie for the buck.can't give it 5 stars

What more can you ask for? The best of Erik Satie by some of the best performers of his music (piano, chamber, orchestral, vocal). A must have for lovers of this unique composer.

My husband wanted this for a birthday gift. He likes the recording and quality of the sound. If you like Satie it’s a good gift.

Splendida musica di Eric Satie raccolta in un cofanetto da non lasciarsi sfuggire. Consigliatissimo

Si on aime Satie c'est un must.

It is a nice recording, Good interpretations. If you want to know more about Satie, like me, then this is a must